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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Associated Press in Ljubljana

Divers free five people trapped in flooded cave in Slovenia after heavy rain

A rescuer with a map of Krizna Jama cave near Grahovo, Slovenia.
A rescuer with a map of Krizna Jama near Grahovo, Slovenia. Photograph: Pop TV/AP

Five people who had been trapped in a cave in Slovenia for more than two days because of high water levels have been rescued, according to local media.

The rescue operation became possible after water levels inside the cave receded, Walter Zakrajsek, the head of the Cave Rescue Service, told the STA news agency.

The operation was completed around mid-afternoon after an hours-long rescue operation by a team of six divers.

A family of three adults and their two guides got stuck in the Krizna Jama cave in south-western Slovenia on Saturday because of heavy rainfall.

Rescuers at Krizna Jama (Cross Cave) near Ljubljana.
Rescuers at Krizna Jama (Cross Cave) near Ljubljana. Photograph: Cave Rescue Service Of Slovenia/Reuters

The 8km (five-mile) cave system with a string of emerald-coloured underground lakes is accessible only in boats and rafts and with a guide.

The group entered on Saturday morning, but got stranded as subterranean waters rose swiftly. The water levels dropped by Monday, making it possible for them to be brought out.

The trapped people were located in a dry area about 2km inside the cave. The divers then brought them out in a small boat.

The water temperature inside the cave was 6C (42F) with very low visibility.

Rescuers earlier said that all five people had been doing well despite spending two nights inside the cave. Divers brought in a heated tent, food and clothes over the weekend.

Slovenia has more than 14,000 caves and Krizna Jama is the fourth-biggest known underground ecosystem in the world.

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